31 Purple Eye Shadow Looks for Every Occasion

Looking for the perfect purple eye shadow look? You’re in the right place. I’ve created purple looks for brides, models, and everyday clients. I know what works and what doesn’t.

In this guide, you’ll find:

31 beautiful purple eye shadow looks
Step-by-step tutorials for each style
Best products for your skin tone
Pro tips from industry experts

I’ll solve your biggest purple eyeshadow problems. No more muddy colors. No more looks that don’t suit you. No more wasted money on wrong shades. I won’t recommend products I don’t use myself. I won’t promise miracle results.

If you want soft everyday looks or bold party styles, I’ve got you covered. These 31 purple eye shadow looks will change how you do makeup.

Let’s create something beautiful together.

The Power of Purple: Why It Works on Everyone

Purple is the chameleon color. Here’s why it’s perfect for you:

It complements every eye color. Green eyes pop with purple undertones. Brown eyes look richer. Blue eyes become more vibrant. Even gray eyes get a mysterious depth.

Purple has many shades. From cool lavender to warm plum, there’s a purple for every skin tone. Light skin glows with soft lilacs. Medium skin loves rich violets. Deep skin tones shine with bold purples.

But here’s the secret: Purple makes you look awake. It cancels out yellow tones in your skin. The result? You look fresh and radiant.

Everyday & Soft Glam Purple Looks

1. Lilac Wash for Monochrome Chic

This look is effortless beauty.

What you need:

Light lilac eyeshadow
Fluffy brush
Matching lilac blush

Pro tip: Use your finger to pat extra color on the center of your lid. This creates dimension without looking overdone.

2. Soft Plum Gradient for a Natural Vibe

Perfect for coffee dates and casual meetings.

Application method:

Start with light plum in the inner corner
Gradually deepen the shade toward the outer corner
Focus on seamless blending

Use a damp brush for better color payoff. This technique makes the gradient look natural, not patchy.

3. Dusty Lavender Matte for Office Days

Professional yet pretty.

Keep it simple:

Apply dusty lavender on the lid only
Use matte finish (no shimmer or glitter)
Pair with neutral brown mascara

This look won’t distract from your presentation. Brown mascara is softer and more appropriate for daytime.

4. Cool-Toned Mauve Winged Shadow

Think winged eyeliner, but with eyeshadow.

Wing technique:

Use a small, firm brush
Start thin at the inner corner
Build up the wing gradually

The trick? Use tape as a guide. Place it at the angle you want. Apply shadow above the tape line. Remove for a clean edge.

5. Purple Nude Combo with Glossy Lids

Trendy and wearable.

Layer these elements:

Nude eyeshadow as base
Hint of purple on outer corner
Clear gloss on center of lids

Why glossy lids work: They catch light beautifully. Your eyes look bigger and more awake.

6. Sheer Amethyst Glow

Subtle sparkle for daytime.

Application tips:

Use sheer amethyst with fine shimmer
Apply with a fluffy brush
Build slowly (less is more)

This isn’t about bold color. It’s about catching the light just right.

7. Lavender Cream Shadow with Dewy Skin

Soft and romantic.

Cream shadow technique:

Use your finger to pat lavender cream on lid
Let your finger warmth help it melt into skin
Finish with dewy highlighter on cheekbones

Cream shadows blend beautifully with dewy skin. The whole look should feel fresh and glowing.

8. Monochrome Lilac with Matching Blush

Color coordination at its finest.

Matching strategy:

Use same lilac shade on eyes and cheeks
Apply blush to apples of cheeks
Blend upward for natural effect

This creates a pulled-together look without trying too hard. The color should look like it’s coming from within.

9. Purple Pastel Watercolor Blend

Soft and dreamy.

Watercolor technique:

Mix light purple with white eyeshadow
Apply with a damp brush
Focus on soft, blended effect

This technique works best with powder shadows. Cream shadows can look muddy when mixed.

10. Taupe-Purple Duo-Tone for a Subtle Pop

Neutral with a twist.

Color placement:

Start with taupe on the lid
Add purple only to outer corner
Use small brush for precision

The contrast is subtle but striking. Don’t let the purple overwhelm the taupe.

Dramatic & Night-Out Purple Eye Shadow Looks

11. Classic Purple Smokey Eye

The original drama queen.

Essential elements:

Dark purple on the lid
Medium purple in the crease
Light purple on the brow bone
Black eyeliner
Lots of mascara

Blend everything seamlessly. The key is gradual color transitions. No harsh lines allowed.

12. Shimmery Violet Cut Crease

Instagram-worthy perfection.

Cut crease technique:

Create sharp line across crease with concealer
Fill the lid with shimmery violet
Use small brush for precise concealer placement

The contrast between the sharp line and soft shimmer is striking. Clean lines make or break this look.

13. Full-On Glitter Grape Glam

Go big or go home.

Glitter application:

Use setting spray on brush first
Pack glitter eyeshadow all over lid
Apply false lashes for balance

This look isn’t subtle. Skip the heavy blush. Let your eyes be the star.

14. Halo Eye with Metallic Plum

Light in the center, dark around the edges.

Halo placement:

Metallic plum on inner corners
Metallic plum on outer corners
Keep center of lid light

The result? Your eyes look bigger and more defined. It’s like a spotlight on your eyes.

15. Deep Eggplant with Winged Liner

Rich and polished.

Color combination:

Deep eggplant eyeshadow on lid
Sharp winged liner
Purple eyeliner instead of black

The dark purple with liner creates depth. Purple liner is more cohesive than black.

16. Ultra Violet Cat Eye

Bold and graphic.

Cat eye technique:

Create cat eye shape with ultra violet eyeshadow
No eyeliner needed
Use firm, angled brush for precision

This look is all about the shape. Take your time getting the wing right. It’s worth the effort.

17. Matte Purple + Gold Foil Inner Corner

Contrast done right.

Texture contrast:

Matte purple on the lid
Gold foil on inner corner
Use small brush for gold placement

The matte and metallic textures create visual interest. Too much gold will overwhelm the purple.

18. Smoked-Out Under Eye in Iris Purple

Edgy and modern.

Lower lash line focus:

Smoke iris purple under lower lashes
Connect to upper lid color
Creates cohesive, edgy look

Most people ignore their lower lash line. Don’t be most people.

19. Jewel-Toned Purple with Emerald Accent

Complementary colors at their best.

Color pairing:

Rich, jewel-toned purple on lid
Tiny pop of emerald on inner corner
Colors complement each other beautifully

Less is more with the emerald. A small touch is all you need.

20. Purple Liner & Graphic Shadow Combo

Art meets makeup.

Graphic elements:

Create graphic shapes with purple eyeshadow
Add purple liner in unexpected places
Think outside traditional eye shape

This look is for the brave. Don’t be afraid to experiment with placement and shape.

Creative, Bold, and Festival-Ready Purple Looks

21. Galaxy-Inspired Purple Ombre

Cosmic beauty.

Galaxy technique:

Deep purple at outer corner
Blend to lighter purple toward inner corner
Add silver glitter for “stars”

The effect should look like a galaxy spreading across your lid. Use a fluffy brush for seamless blending.

22. Reverse Lavender Smokey Eye

Turn tradition upside down.

Reverse application:

Lightest lavender on the lid
Darkest purple on the brow bone
Creates unexpected contrast

This challenges the rules of traditional eye makeup. That’s what makes it interesting.

23. Two-Tone Eyes: Lavender + Rose Gold

Warm meets cool.

Color division:

Lavender on inner half of lid
Rose gold on outer half
Soft, blended transition

The contrast is beautiful without being jarring. It’s like sunset colors on your eyes.

24. Abstract Purple Liner Shapes

Liner as art.

Creative shapes:

Forget traditional liner shapes
Create triangles, curves, dots
Use fine brush for precision

Use a fine brush for precision. This is about creating art, not speed.

25. Neon Purple Cut Crease

Electric and bold.

Neon technique:

Sharp cut crease with neon purple
Brightness demands attention
Pair with minimal makeup elsewhere

This look is for festivals and special occasions. It’s too bold for everyday wear.

26. Glitter Lavender Freckles Around the Eye

Whimsical and fun.

Freckle placement:

Apply lavender glitter as “freckles”
Use small brush for individual placement
Create playful, unexpected effect

The effect is playful and unexpected. It’s makeup as self-expression.

27. Purple Chrome Eyeshadow + Foil Finish

Futuristic glamour.

Chrome application:

Apply with damp brush for maximum impact
Chrome reflects light like mirrors
Creates otherworldly finish

The finish is otherworldly. It’s like wearing liquid metal on your eyes.

28. Floating Purple Eyeliner with Negative Space

Modern and minimal.

Floating technique:

Create purple liner above crease
Leave space between liner and eye
Graphic and modern effect

This look is Instagram gold. It photographs beautifully and shows your artistic side.

29. Water-Activated Purple Paint Look

Professional-level artistry.

Paint technique:

Use water-activated purple paint
Apply with damp brush
Creates intense, opaque coverage

This isn’t for beginners. Water-activated paints require practice and skill.

30. Purple Butterfly-Inspired Eye Makeup

Nature meets beauty.

Butterfly design:

Create butterfly wing shapes with purple
Add details with liner
Beautiful and gentle result

Think of your eyes as canvases. Each eye becomes one wing of the butterfly.

31. Dual-Toned Eyes: Grape on One Eye, Lilac on the Other

Asymmetrical beauty.

Asymmetrical approach:

Deep grape on one eye
Light lilac on the other
Intentional and striking asymmetry

This challenges beauty norms while looking incredibly artistic.

How to Recreate the Perfect Purple Eye Shadow Look: A Step-by-Step Guide

Start with clean eyes. Remove any old makeup. Apply eyeshadow primer. This helps colors last longer and look more vibrant.

Choose your brushes carefully:

Fluffy brush for blending
Flat brush for color application
Small brush for details

Apply colors in order:

Light colors first
Medium colors second
Dark colors last

Build color gradually. It’s easier to add more than to take away. Start with a light hand. Blend constantly. Use circular motions. The secret to good eyeshadow is seamless blending.

Set with powder. A light dusting of translucent powder helps prevent fallout. Finish with mascara. Even the best eyeshadow looks incomplete without mascara.

Best Purple Eye Shadows & Palettes (By Skin Tone)

Fair Skin Tones

Best shades: Lilac, lavender, soft plum

Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Palette
Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows in Purple
Colourpop Whatever Palette

Medium Skin Tones

Best shades: Violet, amethyst, mauve

Juvia’s Place The Violets Palette
Morphe 35P Plum Palette
Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Palette

Deep Skin Tones

Best shades: Deep plum, eggplant, royal purple

Pat McGrath Mothership VI Palette
Fenty Beauty Moroccan Spice Palette
Black Radiance True Complexion Palette

Purple Eye Shadow for Different Eye Colors

Green Eyes

Purple makes green eyes pop. Use any shade of purple. The contrast is naturally beautiful.

Best combinations:

Plum + gold
Lavender + bronze
Deep purple + copper

Brown Eyes

Rich purples complement brown eyes. Go for deeper, more saturated shades.

Try these:

Eggplant + champagne
Grape + rose gold
Amethyst + warm brown

Blue Eyes

Purple enhances blue eyes without competing. Choose cooler purple tones.

Perfect matches:

Lilac + silver
Violet + white
Periwinkle + gray

Hazel Eyes

Purple brings out the green in hazel eyes. Use medium-toned purples for the best effect.

Great options:

Mauve + gold
Dusty purple + bronze
Orchid + peach

Pro Tips from Makeup Artists

Use white eyeshadow as a base. It makes purple colors pop. Apply it before your purple shade.
Don’t forget your lower lash line. A touch of purple there ties the whole look together.
Warm up your brushes. Rub them between your hands before applying eyeshadow. Warm brushes pick up more color.
Use setting spray on your brush. This helps glitter and shimmer shades stick better.
Take breaks while blending. Step back and check your progress. It’s easy to over-blend.
Keep makeup wipes handy. Purple eyeshadow can stain. Clean up fallout immediately.

Final Thoughts

You now have 31 amazing purple eye shadow looks to try. I’ve given you everything you need to succeed.

Start with simple looks first. Master the basics before moving to complex styles. Practice makes perfect. Don’t rush the process.

Purple eyeshadow works on everyone. The secret is finding your perfect shade. Light skin loves soft lilacs. Medium skin glows with rich violets. Deep skin tones shine with bold purples.

Trust your instincts. If a look feels right, it probably is. Makeup rules are meant to be broken sometimes.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try purple with unexpected colors. Mix textures. Play with placement. The best looks come from creative risks.

Remember why you started this process. You wanted to look beautiful. You wanted to feel confident. These purple looks will help you achieve both goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does purple eyeshadow make me look tired?

Not if you choose the right shade. Cool purples can make you look washed out, but warm purples with pink undertones brighten your complexion and make you look more awake.

Can I wear purple eyeshadow with glasses?

Yes, but choose matte finishes over shimmer. Shimmer can create glare under your lenses, while matte shades stay crisp and clear behind glasses.

What’s the biggest mistake people make with purple eyeshadow?

Using too much product at once. Purple is highly pigmented, so start with a light hand and build up slowly to avoid patchy, uneven application.

How do I know if purple suits my undertones?

Try purple lipstick first. If it looks good on your lips, it’ll work on your eyes too, since both areas have similar undertones to your skin.

Should I match my purple eyeshadow to my outfit?

Don’t match exactly – complement instead. If you’re wearing purple clothes, choose a different shade of purple for your eyes to create depth and interest.

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